SC Orders Govt to Bring Back Pregnant Woman Deported to Bangladesh, Citing 'Humanity Over Technicalities'
Image Source: Internet
The Supreme Court on Wednesday intervened in the case of a pregnant woman, Sunali Khatun, who was deported to Bangladesh with her eight-year-old son in June. The court directed the government to bring her back to India on humanitarian grounds and provide immediate medical assistance. The court, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, took note of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's assurance that Sunali and her son could be brought back to India under surveillance. The court also directed that she be allowed to reside temporarily in Birbhum district, West Bengal, near her family. The court's order came after the Centre agreed to consider Sunali's repatriation on December 1, following a plea by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Sanjay Hegde. The court also asked the Centre to verify whether action had been taken against Sunali's father, an Indian citizen. The court's decision is seen as a victory for Sunali and her family, who had been separated due to her deportation. The Centre had maintained that the deportation was warranted due to failure to furnish valid identity proof, but the Calcutta High Court had criticized the rapid pace of the deportation process and the lack of a proper hearing. The Supreme Court clarified that its order is confined to humanitarian relief for Sunali and her child and does not prejudice the Centre's legal arguments. The status of the remaining four deportees will be taken up next week.
